Peters



UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

JESSE E. DOW, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CONSTRUCTION OF TENT-FRAMES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 6,496, dated June 5, 1849*.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Jnssn E. Dow, of l/Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented an Improved Tent, and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the principle or character which distinguishes it from all other things before known and of the usual manner of making, modifying, and using the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in .which- Figure l is an outside View of the tent. Fig. 2, is a section. Fig. 3, is a lan.

The same letters refer to like parts in all the figures.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing a tent without a center pole or guy ropes, pins, or other similar device, by which the whole interior of the tent is free; and the tent can be pitched or struck in much less time than the ordinary one, while it is capable of standing in any soil with greater security, is impervious to water; and is perfectly ventilated.

The construction is as follows: A frame is constructed of eight, more or less, rods (0.) of wood, iron, or other metal, the upper ends of which are jointed to a center-piece (b) so that they can all be closed up together like an umbrella, or opened to any angle, as shown in the figures; the lower ends (o) of the rods should in all cases be made of metal and spade shaped, the points inclining inward, so that when the lower ends of the rods are extended to a proper distance, the spade shaped'foot can be thrust into the ground, and then by binding the hem of the tent tight all around, they seize upon the soil with a tenacious grasp, like can-hooks, bracing every way, and resisting any outer force to remove them; to aid in pushing home t-he spades in pitching this tent, I form on the outside of the rod a step (d) on which the weight can be borne for that purpose.

The covering of the tent may be of india rubber (although I do not intend to confine myself to that material) in which case I do not carry it close up to the top, but leave a space for ventilation, over which a cap (e) of india rubber is placed. The floor of my tent is formed of an india rubber cloth, covering nearly the whole interior part of t-he tent, and turning up siX or eight inches at the edge all around like a tub; this is fastened at a proper height to each of the rods (a), and in case of ar flood, may be trued up higher to keep out all dampness from the occupants, and it allows the admission of air all around t-o ventilate the tent, so essential in warm climates.

A modification of this tent is shown at Fig. 4, in which each rod is double jointed, so as to form a wall tent, the rods (a) that are joined at the center being at a more obtuse angle; and those (a) which support them being nearly perpendicular. It is obvious that other modifications madefor instance-two sets of them, more or less poles similarly arranged, may be placed at a proper distance apart, and a ridge pole extended from one to the other, but all these are but modifications of my general princi le.

llaving thus fully described my improved tent, what I claim therein as new, and for which I desire to secure Letters Patent, is-

Constructing a tent substantially inthe manner described, with al series of poles jointed together at the center; and having spade-formed feet, by which it is anchored to the ground without pins or other fastening, as herein fully set fort-h.

JESSE E. DOW.

l/Vitnesses:

J. J. GREENOUGH, ELIJAH PRATT. 

